Farmers in Kenya Abandon Industrial Methods as Acidic Soil Affects Crops

Kenya, known for its rich agricultural heritage, is grappling with a pressing issue that affects farmers nationwide: acidic soil. Many farmers are now turning away from industrial farming methods and towards more sustainable practices, a shift driven by the deteriorating quality of the soil.

One such farmer is Benson Wanjala, who had been using industrial fertilisers on his 10-acre plot in western Kenya. However, over the years, his harvests declined from 200 bags of maize to just 30. Wanjala attributes this decline to the acidifying fertilisers, which he believes rendered his land lifeless.

“In Nairobi, I started farming vegetables, but soon noticed a reduction in yields. I suspect it’s due to the increased amount of chemicals in the soil,” Wanjala says. Despite the challenges, Wanjala remains committed to making a living through farming.

Wanjala’s story reflects the struggles faced by many small-scale farmers who grapple with declining soil fertility and the pressures of urban farming. Soil scientists like Priscilla Wakarera of Rhea, a soil health management company, warn that overusing fertilisers can lead to soil degradation, making it challenging for plants to absorb nutrients.

“Proper soil testing is essential to determine acidity levels before fertiliser application. Otherwise, it can lead to further degradation,” Wakarera emphasizes. Her company uses a device that provides soil testing results in a few minutes.

Wakarera stresses the need for regenerative agriculture, recommending bio-fertilisers, green manure, or biochar as alternatives to chemical fertilisers. She notes that the lack of soil data has led to improper use of chemical fertilisers, which can exacerbate the problem.

Access to conventional soil testing is limited, with results taking up to a month to obtain. Liming, a method that reduces acidity, is also costly. Farmers like John Mburu Gitu have benefited from soil testing, seeing their avocado farm’s yield increase after analysis.

Elizabeth Atieno Opolo, a crop scientist at Greenpeace Africa, highlights the risks associated with overusing synthetic fertilisers. Excessive nitrogen can lead to nitrogen leaching, polluting aquifers and rivers.

To combat soil degradation, Greenpeace Africa collaborates with small-scale farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices like intercropping and crop rotation. They urge governments to enact laws supportive of sustainable practices and provide assistance for farmers to transition.

African Development Bank statistics show that Africa spends approximately $60 billion annually on food imports, partly due to the decline in agricultural productivity. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, Kenya’s maize production dropped by 4% in 2022, leading to increased imports.

The challenges faced by Kenyan farmers are not unique; across Africa, the continent holds 65% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land. With acidity affecting arable land and reducing crop yields, the shift towards sustainable practices is crucial for the continent’s food security and the well-being of small-scale farmers like Wanjala.